By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Review: Smash Fashion’s singles “Got da HeeBee GeeBees (at CBGB’s)” and “Bennie and the Jets” – Release date Summer 2020 via Yeah Right!
Coincidentally, Rock At Night has been looking for glam rock bands to be featured in our upcoming Summer print issue. There are the usual suspects but we have been searching for new bands or bands that have been under the radar. Low and behold, we received an email from LA band Smash Fashion. The band not only has captured the whole glammy, flamboyant look but they are spot on with their retro 70s sound.
Rock At Night listened to their last two singles “Got da HeeBee GeeBees (at CBGB’s)” and their version of Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” and we are impressed.
Rock At Night says: “Got da HeeBee GeeBees (at CBGB’s)”, which was released in 2020 through the Ontario label Yeah Right! carries the very characteristic 70s guitar tone, including the punchy riff, screaming lead solo, vocal “hey’s”, and the dramatic pause toward the end when the song slows in tempo. The vocals are reminiscent of Eddie Money, but this is no “Ticket to Paradise”, folks. This song is glammy glory from the bowels of Mott the Hoople and Sweet.
Smash Fashion’s version of “Bennie and the Jets” is faster in tempo—and wonderfully harder in tone. This is no FM radio pop version but solidly raunchier and features a cool lead guitar solo. Think an amalgamation of Thin Lizzy and Mott the Hoople.
Check out these singles and venture back to Smash Fashion’s earlier works like the 2014 album Big Cat Love and the 2018 album Rompus Pompous.
Check out a video of one of their older songs to get a feel for the band:
Roger Deering – Lead vocals / rhythm guitar
Lloyd Stuart Casson – Lead guitar / backing vox
Repo – Drums / percussion
Scarlet Rowe – Electric bass / backing vox
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
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